Empowering The Soup Kitchen of Muncie through the HR Resource and Help Desk

The aroma of comforting food fills the air at the Soup Kitchen, a haven for those facing hunger in Muncie. Every day, the dedicated staff works to offer a warm meal, a friendly face, and a glimmer of hope.

Behind the scenes, managing an organization that addresses food insecurities can be complex. The organization requires unique human resource (HR) needs that demand specialized knowledge and resources. Until recently, the organization pieced together its HR support from board members, volunteers, local foundations, or from the various resources they could find online. But as the needs grew and the challenges became more intricate, it became clear that they needed more structured and reliable support. 

When the Soup Kitchen team encountered an issue in the fall of 2023, they were relieved to learn about Nonprofit Support Network’s newest service: the HR Resource and Help Desk. With support and encouragement from Kourtney McCauliff, HR Resource and Help Desk Partner, the staff created a safe space for open communication to address and resolve an ongoing HR issue.

"The HR Resource and Help Desk helped us navigate an (employee) problem by laying out specific steps to follow to make sure I was operating within human resource guidelines,” shared Loretta Parsons, Executive Director, Soup Kitchen of Muncie.

Their first experience with the HR Resource and Help Desk was so efficient and empowering that the Soup Kitchen leadership sought additional assistance with one-on-one coaching around performance management. One obstacle they faced was setting clear expectations, and they needed guidance on how to talk constructively with their staff. Kourtney and the HR Resource and Help Desk provided tailored advice and helped to create the space needed for these discussions.

"Receiving one-on-one guidance was a relief for me to know I was following the legal information to make the best decisions for me and my employees,” shared Loretta. “This allowed me to have the confidence I needed to increase performance and morale."

As the relationship with Kourtney and the HR Resource and Help Desk matured, Soup Kitchen discovered new opportunities to strengthen its internal operations by reviewing and updating its employee policies, succession plans, and recruitment strategies. Kourtney helped them craft clear performance goals, not just metrics, but goals that reflected the Soup Kitchen's mission of serving the community.

The Help Desk's shared service model was an easy resource for the Soup Kitchen. The support it provided lifted some of the strain off their team. Like many nonprofits, they do not have a full-time HR department so leveraging the shared service, they received expert HR support and guidance without needing a full-time staff member. The help from the Help Desk has enabled them to focus on their mission and continue their vital work in the community.

"It’s great having an outside source you can count on to answer your questions and know you are getting the best HR advice. The support from the HR Resource and Help Desk has alleviated strain on our team, allowing us to focus more on our mission,” Loretta shared.

A Broader Impact: Empowering Nonprofits for Success

The Soup Kitchen's success is just one chapter in a larger narrative about the transformative power of HR support in countless nonprofit organizations across Muncie and Delaware County. In 2023, the HR Resource and Help Desk supported Muncie and Delaware County nonprofits, particularly in people management, policy development, recruiting and hiring, and leadership transitions. Our goal remains to empower these organizations to build stronger, more resilient teams and create workplaces that reflect their values and missions.